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6 Questions a Potential Employee Should Consider Asking During an Interview!

Via LinkedIn : Perhaps you are in the market for a new position and are now facing the interviewing process. Regardless of the reasons you are interested in finding a new job, for most people facing the interview is a bit uncomfortable. However, one of the most critical points to remember when preparing for an interview is this: Just because you’re sitting in the seat opposite the employer doesn’t mean you have no control. There are a number of ways for making the interview a less stressful experience and the first one starts with being prepared with your own questions.

Why Should You Have Your Own Questions?

The interviewer will ask you a number of questions that give you an opportunity to sell yourself, but sometimes there are important things that are left unsaid during an interview. Days before the job interview it would be in your best interest to have done some research about the company since knowing some details will help you formulate your own queries, plus it demonstrates your genuine interest in the job. Researching a company can be done in several different ways but the most popular is reviewing the company online, looking at their website or asking the person who invited you for an interview to email you some information about the company. Being prepared in this way shows the interviewer that you’re really a knowledgeable and serious applicant.

What You Should and Shouldn’t Say During an Interview!

Although it’s not a good idea to monopolize the interview, asking questions shows your interest in the position and is a good sign to the employer. If you’ve not had a chance to interject your own queries during the interview, simply wait until near the end of the meeting and before leaving, make mention that you have a few questions. But remember, keep the conversation strictly professional. The interviewer is forming an opinion about you, so make sure you don’t say anything that could be misinterpreted. For example, never share personal information that is unnecessary and steer clear of negative details regarding past employment. Hold off on asking questions that deal with vacation, sick days, benefits, salary and such. They’re important to know, but they shouldn’t be your top priority on the first interview. First interviews are mostly about finding out whether you’re a good fit for the job.

The following are a few good questions to ask during or at the end of the interview. They may also trigger some of your own inquiries;

Question #1 – What responsibilities will I be covering? Many jobs often give a job description but that doesn’t always cover all of your responsibilities. Very often an individual’s responsibilities are not clearly laid out during the interview and leave the potential applicant uncertain as to his or her tasks. Make sure they are clear prior to accepting a position.

Question #2 – Does the existing staff know that a person is being hired for this position and do they know the responsibilities that person will be handling? Why should you ask this question? There are times that certain staff members are not aware that someone new is coming on board and if they are not informed of that decision prior to your starting, it can make for an uncomfortable situation. If it’s left for you to define, you could be starting off on the wrong foot with team mates.

Question #3 – What would you say are the best and most difficult things about working in this environment? Don’t be afraid to ask the interviewer to explain what he or she believes are the best and most challenging aspects about the job. Of course you may not perceive the same things as difficult but it’s still good to know his or her perception at the onset.

Question #4 – Based upon my responses during this interview and by my past experience; do you believe I have the knowledge to handle the responsibilities of this position? Basically what you’re trying to find out is whether or not you are in the running for the position and if you will be considered. Asking that question can give you an idea as to where you stand. That way you won’t have to spend days pondering whether or not you have a chance of filling the position.

Question#5 – Was the person in this position previously let go or promoted or is this a newly created position? In other words, you want to know if you have to fill another person’s shoes or if you will be establishing the criteria of the position.

Question#6 – Have I provided enough information about myself for you to make an informed decision? If not, what can I do to alleviate any of your concerns about my capabilities? This question gives you an opportunity to share more details about yourself and to toot your own horn.

Come Prepared

Never leave an interview to chance. Ask a friend to pretend they are interviewing you and have them ask you different questions in different ways. Be willing to have some feedback from your friend, even if it’s a bit critical. That way you are more prepared for whatever is thrown at you during an interview. Of course it goes without question that you are going to be dressed professionally for the interview, plus you will have practiced speaking as professionally as possible so you feel confident. Try hard not to sound rehearsed but keep your tone as natural as possible. Besides being on time, be sure to carry a few extra resumes as well as having some references on hand.

The way you present yourself during an interview clearly demonstrates your strengths and weaknesses so never hesitate to present yourself in a way that shows off your highest qualifications. Don’t be afraid to do a bit of boasting about yourself during the interview, particularly if it’s true. You are competing against a number of other individuals who want the same job; therefore you shouldn’t hesitate to stand apart from the others. And certainly, never be afraid to ask questions that are important to you, as long as they are related to the position.

Charlene Rashkow brings over 15 years of experience as a Writing Stylist and Consultant to her creative efforts as a freelance writer. She has successfully helped thousands of companies and individuals reach their objectives by offering empowering information and by creating a multitude of dynamic business and personal documents. Charlene thrives on writing original articles, press releases, bios, website content, business plans, proposals, resumes, letters, and non-fiction books as well as editing all forms of written material. To learn more about Charlene, many testimonials and endorsements can be found on linkedin.